Sikela’s nomination for EU commissioner confirmed

The Committee for European Affairs of the Czech lower house has approved Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Sikela as the Czech nominee for EU commissioner. Prime Minister Petr Fiala will now formally present the proposal to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. At the end of July, the EC chief asked national governments to submit the names of two candidates, one male and one female, by the end of August. At the time the Czech government had already decided to propose only one name. Prime Minister Fiala said Sikela had all the prerequisites to succeed in the approval processes and to get a strong portfolio.